Commissioner wants more perks

ALBANY, GA (WALB) – An Albany city commissioner says he wants to be paid for opting out of the city insurance plan.

Tommie Postell says because he doesn't use the city health insurance, he's missing out on a perk that other commissioners get. So he thinks he should be paid the four thousand dollars that the city pays for the other commissioner's insurance premiums.

He says the four grand should be put into the expense accounts of the elected officials who don't use the insurance. Postell said, "If the city allocates funds to pay the non-insured, 75% of their insurance, it's only fair for those of us who serve in the same capacity, doing the same job to receive some compensation for ours."

If the ordinance passes, the money would be put into the expense accounts of Mayor Willie Adams, and Commissioners Postell, Dorothy Hubbard and Roger Marietta, none of whom is on the city plan.

Marietta has asked that a provision be added that would allow them to opt out. Other cities across the state were polled to see if they offer a benefit credit. None of the seven respondees offers such a benefit.